Donald Grant (MEC for Transport in the Western Cape): We call on Donald Grant to scrap the Hermanus Bypass Road proposal

This road will run through Fernkloof Nature Reserve, destroying rare and irreplaceable lowland fynbos.

Confined to the mountains and lowlands of the Western Cape, fynbos is the most species-rich plant kingdom on Earth. Lowland fynbos is on the brink of extinction, with less than 2% of the original extent conserved in nature reserves. It has been almost completely destroyed by agriculture, rapid urbanization and alien vegetation.

It seems inconceivable that the provincial government would consider spending over R200 million on 3km of road through what little remains of our priceless lowland fynbos. Especially as:

• no clear need for the road has been established
• the road will not benefit the poorest in our community
• alternative options have not been properly considered.

The road will be a shameful and blatant misuse of public funds, and will only widen the gap between rich and poor. We wholeheartedly reject this ill-considered and shortsighted idea and we call on you to do the same.

Thank you.